Houston Texans owner Bob McNair has said that he is not sorry for comparing NFL players to “inmates running the prison” last year but that he is sorry for apologizing for that comment.
Last year, McNair said during a meeting attended by NFL owners, player union representatives and team executives, that “we can’t have the inmates running the prison” in reference to players choosing to kneel in protest of racial injustices during the American national anthem.
About 10 players, including Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, left the team's training facility after the comments while some considered boycotting their game against the Seattle Seahawks.
McNair initially apologised for his comments but has since walked back his apology in an interview with The Wall Street Journal where he said that it was a common expression in business.
“The main thing I regret is apologizing,” McNair said, insisting the “inmates” he was referring to were not NFL players, but rather league executives who he felt had more control over major decisions than the owners.
“I really didn’t have anything to apologize for. In business, it’s a common expression. But the general public doesn’t understand it, perhaps."
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